Trainer control method and fitness device using the same

ABSTRACT

A trainer control method is provided and includes mounting a sensor at a user&#39;s upper extremity, sending from the sensor a sensing signal variable with the position or motion of the upper extremity, and controlling the operating speed of a trainer by the user according to the upper extremity, wherein the sensing signal causes the trainer operating speed to increase and decrease whenever the upper extremity is in first and second states for predetermined duration, respectively. Accordingly, riot only does the user control the operating speed and state of the trainer easily, but user safety is also enhanced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to trainers (such as treadmills) with an adjustable operating speed, and more particularly, to a trainer control method and a fitness device operated with the trainer control method.

2. Description of Related Art

A conventional treadmill usually comprises treading base and a control console disposed above and in front of the treading base to enable a user to operate the control console before or while walking or running on the treading base, so as to start and stop the treadmill and adjust the operating speed of the treadmill.

However, there is usually a distance between the control console and a user's body while the user is running on the treading base; hence, to operate the control console, the us has to either move forward slightly or tilt his/her trunk forward. Furthermore, the run prevents the user from operating the control console precisely; as a result, not only is the user likely to err in operation, but the otherwise rhythmic run is also likely. to turn irregular, even causing the user to trip inadvertently.

Even though the treadmill is equipped with a controller which can be gripped in a user's upper extremity while the user is walking or running to thereby enable the user to adjust the operating speed of the treadmill with the controller while walking or running on the treadmill, the user still has to operate buttons on the controller. As a result, the aforesaid problems remain unsolved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a trainer control method whereby a user can control the operating speed of a trainer easily, thereby overcoming the aforesaid drawbacks of the conventional trainer effectively.

In order to achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides a trainer control method whereby a user controls the operating speed of a trainer. The trainer control method comprises the steps of:

a. mounting a sensor to an upper extremity of the user, the sensor being capable of sending a sensing signal variable with the position or motion of the upper extremity; and

b. controlling by the user the operating speed of the trainer with the upper extremity, increasing the operating speed of the trainer according to the sensing signal when the upper extremity has been in a first state for a period of time, and decreasing the operating speed of the trainer according the sensing signal when the upper extremity has been in a second state for a period of time.

The trainer is a treadmill or any trainer with an adjustable operating speed. Take a treadmill as an example, since the user swings his or her upper extremity freely while running, the first state is the state where the swinging upper extremity is located at a relatively high position. Likewise, the second state is the state where the swinging upper extremity is located at a relatively to low position. Hence, with the user's upper extremity swinging continuously while the user is running, the treadmill can keep operating at a constant speed. To accelerate the treadmill, the user keeps the upper extremity with the sensor in the first state purposefully. To decelerate the treadmill, the user keeps the upper extremity with the sensor in the second state purposefully. Accordingly, the user can control the operating speed of the trainer very easily and thus avoid turning the otherwise rhythmic run irregular, thereby preventing a slip,

The present invention further provides a fitness device for use with the aforesaid method. The fitness device comprises a sensor, a controller, and a trainer. The sensor is disposed at a user's upper extremity. The sensor sends a sensing signal variable with the position or motion of the upper extremity. The controller receives the sensing signal, sends an acceleration signal when the sensing signal has stayed within a first numerical value range for a predetermined period of time, and sends a deceleration signal when the sensing signal has stayed within a second numerical value range for a predetermined period of time. The trainer receives the acceleration signal and the deceleration signal. Upon receipt of the acceleration signal, the trainer increases its own operating speed. Upon receipt of the deceleration signal, the trainer decreases its own operating speed. Accordingly, the fitness device enables the user to control the operating speed of the trainer easily with the aforesaid trainer control method and thus avoid disharmonizing the otherwise rhythmic run, thereby preventing an accidental misstep.

The structure, features, assembly, and ways of operating the trainer control method and the fitness device for use with the method provided according to the present invention are illustrated with embodiments and described in detail below. However, persons skilled in the art understand that the detailed description and specific embodiments put forth to explain the implementation of the present invention are illustrative of the present invention rather than restrictive of the claims of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a fitness device and a user according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a system block diagram of the fitness device according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 1 and shows how the user operates the fitness device;

FIG. 4 is a control flow chart of the fitness device according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the fitness device and the user according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a system block diagram of the fitness device according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a system block diagram of the fitness device according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a system block diagram of the fitness device according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the embodiments described below and the accompanying drawings, identical reference numerals denote identical or similar components or structural features. If, as described below, a first component is disposed on/above a second component, it will mean that either the first component is disposed directly on/above the second component, or the first component is disposed indirectly on/above the second component (that is to say, one or more components are disposed between the first component and the second component.)

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a fitness device 10 in a first preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a sensor 20, a controller 30, and trainer 40. The trainer 40 is a treadmill, but it can also be any other trainer with an adjustable operating speed. The controller 30 is disposed on the trainer 40 and coupled thereto so as to together form a fitness apparatus 12. The sensor 20 enables a user to control the trainer 40 without touching the controller 30. The trainer control method of the present invention is hereunder illustrated with the fitness device 10. Also, elements and functions thereof of the fitness device 10 are described in detail below.

The trainer control method of the present invention enables the user to control the operating speed of the trainer 40, which, from the perspective of a treadmill, involves adjusting the user's walking or running speed. The trainer control method comprises the steps as follows:

a. mounting the sensor 20 to the user's upper extremity, wherein the sensor 20 sends a sensing signal variable with the position or motion of the upper extremity.

The sensor 20 includes, but is not limited to, a gravity sensor or an acceleration sensor. When the sensor 20 is disposed at the user's upper extremity, the three axes (x-axis, y-axis, z-axis) of the sensor 20 is fixed to the upper extremity. The sensor 20 sends the sensing signals corresponding to the three axes, respectively. Hence, any change in the upper extremity causes the position and orientation of the sensor 20 to change, and in consequence the sensing signal corresponding to one of the axes changes. The “upper extremity” referred to herein includes the forearm, elbow, wrist, and palm. That is to say, the sensor 20 can be positioned at any of the aforesaid positions, provided that the sensing signal sent from the sensor 20 varies with the upper extremity. In fact, the 20 can be a smart watch which is not only built-in with a gravity sensor for performing the aforesaid functions, but can be worn around the user's wrist conveniently.

b. Referring to FIG. 3, the user uses the upper extremity to control the operating speed of the trainer 40 naturally. If the upper extremity is in a first state P1 for a predetermined period of time, the sensing signal will cause the operating speed of the trainer 40 to increase. If the upper extremity is in a second state P2 for a predetermined period of time, the sensing signal will cause the operating sp d of the trainer 40 to decrease. For illustrative purposes, the description below is exemplified by a scenario where the aforesaid predetermined period of time is set to two seconds.

Since the user's upper extremity swing freely while the user is running, the sensor 20 can be positioned in a manner to allow it to change its orientation in response to the swing of the upper extremity, such that the sensing signal varies with the position or motion of the sensor 20. The first state P1 is the state where the swinging upper extremity is located at a relatively high position. The second state 92 is the state where the swinging upper extremity is located at a relatively low position. The intermediate state P3 is defined as lying between the first state P1 and the second state P2. The first, second, and intermediate states P1, P2, P3 each correspond to a sensing signal which is of a single specific numerical value or falls within a numerical value range. For example, the intermediate state P3 corresponds to the sensing signal of a single specific numerical value 0. The first state P1 corresponds to the sensing signal of a first numerical value range of 8˜10. The second state P2 corresponds to the sensing signal of a second numerical value range of −8˜−10. That is to say, the first state P1 and the second state P2 are about close positions or orientations within a specific numerical value range rather than about a single specific position or orientation.

The sensing signal is sent from the sensor 20 by wireless transmission (indicated by a dashed line and arrow in the drawings)and received by the controller 30. Referring to the control flow chart shown in FIG. 4, the controller 30 keep judging the Sensing signal sent from the sensor 20 (in step 51). If the sensing signal has stayed within the aforesaid first numerical value range for two seconds, that is, the User has put the upper extremity in the first state P1 for two seconds, the controller 30 will send an acceleration signal to be received by the trainer 40 and to increase the operating speed of the trainer 40 (in step 52). If the sensing signal has stayed within the aforesaid second numerical value range for two seconds, that is, the user has put the upper extremity in the second state P2 for two seconds, the controller 30 will send a deceleration signal to be received by the trainer 40 and to decrease the operating speed of the trainer 40 (in step 53).

With the user's upper extremity swinging continuously while the user is running, the trainer 40 keeps operating at a constant speed. To increase the operating speed of the trainer 40, that is, effectuating acceleration of the trainer 40, the user keeps the upper extremity with the sensor 20 in the first state P1 purposefully. To decrease the operating speed of the trainer 40, that is, effectuating deceleration of the trainer 40, the user keeps the upper extremity with the sensor 20 in the second state P2 purposefully. Accordingly, the user can control the operating speed and state of the trainer 40 very easily and thus avoid disharmonizing the otherwise rhythmic run, thereby preventing any accidental misstep and enhancing user safety.

In steps 52, 53, on each occasion of its acceleration or deceleration, the trainer 40 increases or decreases its operating speed by a specific numerical value, such as, 0.5 kilometer per hour. To augment the acceleration or deceleration of the trainer 40, the user keeps the upper extremity in the first state P1 or the second state P2 for longer than two seconds such that, after the upper extremity's two-second stay in the first state P1 or the second state P2, the controller 30 causes the trainer 40 to accelerate or decelerate *once per second, thereby allowing the trainer 40 to attain quickly the operating speed desired by the user.

Referring to FIG. 4, in step 54, the controller 30 further enables the user to set the largest value and the least value of the operating speed of the trainer 40. In step 52, even if the user keeps the upper extremity in the first state P1 such that the sensing signal of the sensor 20 stays within the first numerical value range, the trainer 40 will accelerate to reach the predetermined largest value of the operating speed only; that is to say, the controller 30 will not cause the operating speed of the trainer 40 to exceed the largest value. In step 53, even if the user keeps the upper extremity in the second state P2 and thus keeps the sensing signal of the sensor 20 in the second numerical value range, the trainer 40 will decelerate to the predetermined least value of the operating speed; that is to say, the controller 30 will not allow the operating speed of the trainer 40 to drop below the least value.

Hence, the use can set the largest value of the operating speed of the trainer 40 to a bearable speed so as to preclude speeding-induced danger. Furthermore, the user can set the least value of the operating speed of the trainer 40 to his or her walking speed, such that the operating speed of the trainer 40 can decrease to the least value whenever the user wants to walk after running for a period of time. Although the user's upper extremity usually hang vertically, i.e., stay in the second state P2, while the user is walking, the trainer 40 no longer decelerates during the second state P2, the by allowing the user to walk on the trainer 40 continuously.

Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the present invention provides in a second preferred embodiment thereof a fitness device 60 which comprises a sensor 20, a trainer 61, and a controller 62, which are identical to their counterparts in the first preferred embodiment. The trainer 61 comprises a control console 612. That is to say, the trainer 61 in this embodiment is similar to the fitness apparatus 12 in the first preferred embodiment, The controller 62 is electrically connected to the trainer 61 by a transmission line 64. The sensor 20 sends the sensing signal to the controller 62 by wireless transmission. Then, the controller 62 sends the acceleration signal and the deceleration signal to thereby control the operating speed of the trainer 61.

In fact, the controller 62 can be a mobile device, such as a smartphone or a notebook computer, which is installed with an application for controlling the trainer 61. In this situation, the controller 62 further enables the user to enter the user's desired largest value and least value of the operating speed of the trainer 61. Alternatively, the trainer 61 itself enables the user to set the largest value and the least value of the operating speed of the trainer 61; that is to say, the largest value and the least value of the operating speed of the trainer 61 is set by the control console 612 of the trainer 61.

Referring to FIG. 7, the present invention provides in a third preferred embodiment thereof a fitness device 70, wherein the controller 62 sends the acceleration signal and the deceleration signal to the trainer 61 by wireless transmission; that is to say, the transmission line 64 is not connected between the co otter 62 and the trainer 61.

Referring to FIG. 8, the present invention provides in a fourth preferred embodiment thereof a fitness device 80, wherein a sensor 84 in a mobile device 82 (such as a smartphones) senses the variation in the position or motion of the upper extremity, whereas a controller 86 in the mobile device 82 receives the sensing signal from the sensor 84 and sends the acceleration signal and the deceleration signal. That is to say, the sensor 84 and the controller 86 are disposed in the mobile device 82, wherein the user mounts the mobile device 82 to upper extremity or makes the mobile device 82 positioned at the user's upper extremity by any other means, such that the mobile device 82 sends the acceleration signal and the deceleration signal to the trainer 61 by wireless transmission,

Last but not least, constituent components disclosed in the aforesaid embodiments of the present invention are illustrative rather than restrictive of the scope of the present invention, as any other equivalent components provided for the purpose of replacement or variation must be covered by the claims of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A trainer control method whereby a user controls an operating speed of a trainer, the trainer control method comprising the step of: a. mounting a sensor to an upper extremity of the user, the sensor being capable of sending a sensing signal variable with the position or motion of the upper extremity; and b. controlling by the user the operating speed of the trainer with the upper extremity, increasing the operating speed of the trainer according to the sensing signal when the upper extremity has been in a first state for a period of time, and decreasing the operating speed of the trainer according to the sensing signal when the upper extremity has been in a second state for a period of time.
 2. The trainer control method of claim 1, further comprising the step of setting a largest value and a least value of the operating speed of the trainer.
 3. The trainer control method of claim 1, wherein the sensor is positioned in a manner to allow it to change its orientation in response to a swing of the upper extremity, such that the sensing signal varies with the orientation of the sensor.
 4. A fitness device, comprising: a sensor disposed at an upper extremity of a user and adapted to send a sensing signal variable with the position or motion of the upper extremity; a controller for receiving the sensing signal, sending an acceleration signal when le sensing signal has stayed within a first numerical value range for a period of time, and sending a deceleration signal when the sensing signal has stayed within a second numerical value range for a period of time; and a trainer for receiving the acceleration signal and the deceleration signal to thereby increase an operating speed of the trainer when the trainer receives the acceleration signal and decrease the operating speed of the trainer when the trainer receives the deceleration signal.
 5. The fitness device of claim 4, wherein the controller enables the user to set a largest value and a least value of the operating speed of the trainer.
 6. The fitness device of claim 4, wherein the trainer enables the user to set a largest value and a least value of the operating speed of the trainer.
 7. The fitness device of claim 4, wherein the trainer is a treadmill.
 8. The fitness device of claim 4, wherein the sensor is one of a gravity sensor and an acceleration sensor.
 9. The fitness device of claim 4, wherein the controller is disposed at the trainer.
 10. The fitness device of claim 4, wherein the sensor and the controller are disposed at a mobile device. 